EVERETT, Wash. - Repair locker personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) conducted damage control (DC) training as part of a weekly scheduled repair locker training implementation Feb. 5.
All repair lockers on board conducted hour-long training sessions to help sailors assigned to damage control teams gain and retain damage control knowledge.
“It will be ideal for both a lecture and hands on interaction in order to assist people on how to combat any casualty on the ship,” said Lt. Adrienne Sadosky, the repair locker officer for locker 1 Bravo. “It’s supposed to be an all-hands evolution with locker leadership training the individuals in the locker.”
As Nimitz prepares for deployment, the training will assist the knowledge and experience of locker personnel.
“Even if they are qualified in RADM (Relational Administration), or they have their PQS (Personnel Qualification Standards) signed off for it, there’s no replacement for quality training,” said Sadosky.
Nimitz will be conducting damage control training every Tuesday to help train sailors.
“This is the time to get some PQS’ signed off if you’re deficient, to prepare for any DC exams that you have coming up, but more importantly to increase the experience and quality of locker personnel as we combat casualties,” said Sadosky. “I think that is the over-all objective.”
Sadosky stressed how important the training is especially with the upcoming deployment.
“When we get out there and we are deployed, we are the first line of defense for a lot of things, and our help might be far away, so that’s why this is most important for us to be that proficient,” said Sadosky. “It’s no longer just drills, we have to prepare for real-life scenarios. It needs to become second nature for people.”
Sadosky is not the only one who would agree that the extra training will benefit the ship as it gears up for deployment.
“I think if we continue to do (weekly training) the organization of the locker, teamwork and the overall proficiency will improve and they will know what is expected of them,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Lawrence Walker.
“I don’t think it’s enough for people to simply settle for their position that they have,” said Sadosky. “Not only be qualified in RADM, the PQS’ and the exams done, but to know what to do and how to combat a casualty when they stumble onto one. Damage control is one of those things we can never lose sight of.”